An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/treideln

by Friedrich Kluge

treideln, vb., ‘to tow a boat,’ ModHG. only; a LG. loan-word; comp. the equiv. Du. treilen (AS. trœglian, E. to trail). On account of Fr. trailler, ‘to pull,’ which is probably a corresponding term, treideln has been supposed to be connected with Lat. trahere. There is no need, however, to ascribe the cognates to a non-Teut. origin.